Organic Farming as a Part of the Sustainable Development of Agriculture

Abstract

The paper presents the relationships of organic farming with sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. The promotion of environmentally friendly agriculture and environmental protection are implemented within agri-environmental programs. The aim of these programs is to achieve sustainable rural development and preserve biodiversity. The goal of studies was to assess the sustainability of ecological agriculture at the level of an agricultural holding. Organic farming is perceived as a system that is most favorable from the perspective of environmental protection. Analysis was conducted on the basis of data from ecological farms in the Podlaskie voivodeship registered in the FADN system in 2014. Ecological indicators (share of cereals in crops, vegetation coverage of the soil throughout the year, stocking density, balance of organic substances, agricultural and environmental actions taken) as well as economic indicators: land profitability and productivity and profitability of labor, were accounted for. It was determined that the conditions of environmental sustainability were met with regard to the majority of ecological indicators. From the perspective of economic effects, organic farming achieved a positive financial result, but it was lower than in conventional farms. This result was achieved thanks to public subsidies for ecological production.

Sustainable Viticulture of Italian Grapevines: Environmental Evaluation and Societal Cost Estimation Using EU Farm Accountancy Data Network Data

“…Brenann et al [22] demonstrated that measuring sustainability allowed for comparisons between farmers who use extension services and those who do not among eight EU countries. Basing their paper on the FADN network, Koloszko-Chomentowska and Zukovskis [23] explored the sustainability of organic farming versus conventional farming in Poland. Reidla and Nurmet [24] examined dairy farms' economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and compared them between the Baltic States using the FADN database.…”